The team is developing and training its own crew, however, under the leadership of veteran crewman Mike “Tiny” Houston, who has been hired as pit crew coach.

Houston, who was a front-tire carrier on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hendrick Motorsports team, will oversee and direct the crew, which will train at the Performance Instruction & Training facility in Mooresville, N.C.

Houston, who had also worked on the teams of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon at Hendrick, is a former college football player and professional wrestler.

“Re-establishing our own over-the-wall crew has been high on our radar,” Furniture Row Racing General Manager Joe Garone in a release from the team. “But before entering into this vital operation, we wanted to make sure that we had everything in place that would allow us to produce a highly-qualified over-the-wall crew.

“With Mike Houston coming on board to lead us in this new venture, he brings first-hand experience and a thorough understanding of what it takes to develop and maintain a successful pit crew week in and week out.”

Busch joined Furniture Row for the final six races of 2012, replacing Regan Smith. Busch, who drove for Phoenix Racing during most of the season, finished in the top 10 in each of the final three races.